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Pathology · single question

How does saliva contribute to the remineralization of early enamel lesions?

  1. Saliva is supersaturated with calcium and phosphate ions, which are deposited back into demineralized enamel to help repair early carious lesions
  2. Saliva has no role in enamel remineralization
  3. Saliva works only by mechanically washing away bacteria, with no chemical/ionic contribution
  4. Saliva remineralizes enamel solely through its enzymatic content, with no mineral ion contribution
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Correct answer: A. Saliva is supersaturated with calcium and phosphate ions, which are deposited back into demineralized enamel to help repair early carious lesions

Saliva is supersaturated with calcium and phosphate ions relative to enamel hydroxyapatite, allowing these ions to diffuse back into early demineralized (white spot) lesions and promote remineralization — a key natural defense against caries progression, which fluoride further enhances by forming more acid-resistant fluorapatite.

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